Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Learning To Love Your Imperfect Christmas {A Book Review}

Let's be honest, this is something each and every one of us feels at least on occasion. It seems the grass is always greener, and there's always going to be someone that has something or that can do something that we do not. I suppose that's only human nature.

As the holidays draw near, that sense of wanting what someone else has only seems to grow stronger. We see the festivities, the fancy trees, the crafts, the baking, the gifts...they flood our newsfeeds and have us feeling like our Christmases just seem to fall short. When we set those expectations of, we tend to focus on those shortcomings and of course then it truly DOES fall short. We don't all have those Pinterest worthy holidays we long for instead...

Money is too tight and we cannot do all we want to do.

Family feuds stand in the way, making holidays less than peaceful.

Our baking skills our lackluster.

Our tree doesn't turn out nearly as gorgeous as the dreams we envisioned.

We miss out on the hot toy of the season that our child has been asking for.

Work schedules cut festivities short.

Weather keeps us from visiting family.

Our elf on the shelf stays in one spot for 5 days.

The baby cries every time you try to take Santa pictures.

Health keeps you from celebrating to the fullest.

The list could go on and on and on. There is always something that could and usually does keep us from having the picture perfect Christmas. And yes, for the perfectionist like myself that can be tough. Still, if we spend all of our time and energy focusing on the bad, we miss out on all of the great things that the holidays will bring.

The new book by Alexandra Kuykendall, Loving My Actual Christmas is a great reminder and encouragement to do just that.

The Christmas season is a particularly difficult time for women to slow down and relish what's right in front of them. An annual marker for many, it is a holiday that can often remind us how life is not going as we'd planned. Our family relationships remain strained, our finances stretched, and our schedules stuffed with too much to do in too little time.

Following the formula of her successful Loving My Actual Life, Alexandra Kuykendall shares with readers her own personal experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season. Addressing the themes of Advent and Christmas, she reflects on hope, love, joy, peace, and relishing the season, with practical pullouts on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family. Kuykendall's signature candor helps women go easy on themselves, remember what truly matters, and find joy in their imperfect Christmases.

If you're like me and find yourself stressing over the holiday you want... this is a great read. Its' very relate-able and truly a great reminder on what truly matters during the holiday season. You can pick up your own copy of Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment in Relishing the Season at your favorite Christian book retailers.